Depression decisions — 2022

The Veteran's arrhythmia, bruxism, COPD, right hip condition, left hip condition, left knee injury, obesity, traumatic brain injury, and vertigo have not been found to be related to service.,PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in a rating of 70 percent but the Veteran is still considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress and major depressive disorders, finding no unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to October 7, 2015.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50% and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence and depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition but has remanded the issue of sleep apnea as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU for the period prior to February 4, 2013 is dismissed as there is no case or controversy regarding this benefit.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are as likely as not attributable to his military service, including his duties as a casket bearer. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has rendered him unemployable from November 17, 2004 to January 14, 2013. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, has been reopened and is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability have also been reopened and are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for another VA examination to properly adjudicate the service connection claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a 70% rating, but no higher. The appeal is based on reopened evidence and the criteria for this rating are met.

The Veteran's TBI and persistent depressive disorder are rated at the highest available level of disability.,No effective date earlier than June 22, 2017 is granted for any of the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The VA needs to obtain new medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service, including his participation in Project Whitecoat and subsequent hospitalization at Walter Reed Medical Center.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and effective date claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and affective disorder. The evidence submitted since the final August 2003 rating decision was not new or material.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran contends that he had a layover in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) while enroute to his assignment, but there is no concrete evidence confirming this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right knee disorder, PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety, and IBS has been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding his TDIU claim.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and IBS.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder, so the claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and examination regarding service connection for PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims will be further developed and examined in order to determine if there is a valid stressor event that can corroborate his claims.